WATCH: Marte's gems in 9th save Melancon's scoreless innings streak
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Pirates closer Mark Melancon took the hill Friday night sporting a big-league best 32 saves and a nifty streak of 21 consecutive scoreless appearances.
But his impressive streak was about to be snapped, or so it looked.
With Pittsburgh up a run, Melancon came on to shut down the Cincinnati Reds in the ninth. But Melancon gave up a lead-off single to Brandon Phillips, followed by a sacrifice bunt and a walk to Reds slugger Joey Votto, putting the go-ahead run on first base with one out and Home Run Derby champ Todd Frazier coming up to the plate.
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That's when Starling Marte took over as the star of the game.
Frazier ripped a ball past Pirates third baseman Aramis Ramirez. Phillips rounded third and charged home as the potential tying run. Marte gunned a one-hopper to catcher Francisco Cervelli to nail Phillips.
The streak lived to see another batter.
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That was Marlon Byrd, digging into the batter's box with Votto in scoring position at second. Byrd hit a sinking liner into left. Marte charged, charged and, well, watch: